1. Transportation Exercises
Joe Mathias
Tunnel Safety Officer & Resilience Manager
North & Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent

2. North & Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent
NMWTRA works on behalf of WG to manage trunk roads in wales – in partnership with 8 Local Authorities in Mid and North Wales.
Manage over;
575 Miles of Single Carriageways
105 Miles of Dual Carriageways
2000 Structures
3 RTSR Tunnels

3. Incident Objectives
NMWTRA will give full support to Emergency Services in attaining all common incident objectives
But will have particular focus on achieving the WG objectives of;
Providing a safe journey
Providing reliable journey time for all road users

4. Who Do We Achieve Objectives
If a road is not safe we will;
- Close or restrict road to effect repair
- Divert Traffic where appropriate
- Warn and Inform Drivers

5. CASE STUDY – ROAD TUNNEL
CASE STUDY BACKGROUND
A55 across North Wales is classified as a Trans European Road Network Linking Ireland and Russia.
Due to Topography three Tunnels needed to be constructed to transverse difficult terrain.
Pen-y-Clip Conwy Penmaenbach

6. CASE STUDY – ROAD TUNNEL
CASE STUDY BACKGROUND II
Generally speaking using the A55 Tunnels carries no more risk than using the rest of the A55.
HOWEVER, the consequences of any incident that occur in a tunnel can be much higher, especially any incident involving FIRE.

7. CASE STUDY – ROAD TUNNEL
CASE STUDY - MAJOR TUNNEL INCIDENTS
1999 – Mont Blanc Tunnel Fire - 37
1999 – Tauern Tunnel Fire - 12
2001 – St. Gotthard Alpine Road Tunnel - 11

8. CASE STUDY – ROAD TUNNEL
CASE STUDY – TUNNEL SPECIFIC LEDGISLATION
Following these major incidents the European Parliament passed Directive 2004/54/EC on “Minimum Safety Requirements For Tunnels In The Trans-European Road Network”
Incorporated into UK Law through the “Road Tunnel Safety Regulations 2007” (Amended 2009)
Established:
- Legal functions of Admin Authority / Tunnel Manager / TSO and Inspection Entity
- Outlines roles and responsibilities
- Safety requirements
- Risk Analysis and Reduction Measures
- Reporting requirement
- Classifies NMWTRA as an “Emergency Service” in regards to tunnels

9. CASE STUDY – ROAD TUNNEL
CASE STUDY – TUNNEL SPECIFIC LEDGISLATION – IMPACT ON EXERCISES
Both the European Directive and RTSR formally require me too;
“verify that operational staff and emergency services are trained, and he shall take part in the organisation of exercises held at regular intervals”
Require exercises to be “as realistic as possible and should correspond to the defined incident scenarios”
“Full scale exercises under conditions that are realistic as possible shall be conducted in each tunnel every four years….Partial and/or simulation exercises shall be conducted every year in-between”
Therefore;
WHY DO WE EXERCISE =
BECAUSE WE LEGALLY HAVE TOO
HOW DO WE EXERCISE =
WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY

10. Barriers To Exercise – Public View Point
“A cunning plan….…..to keep drivers off the roads: Bus Lanes, out of date messages on the matrices, speed restrictions to deliberately slow the traffic-flow and the dreaded cone that still close miles of motorway lanes with no discernible activity on the other side”.
Terry Wogan – The Little Book of Common Sense

11. Difficulty with working (exercising) on LIVE carriageways
Live carriageways are dangerous places to work and exercise
Restrictions or closures need to be implemented to mitigate risk
Restrictions or closures cause delays and congestion
Traffic Orders or approval need to be issued to close or restrict trunk roads
Restrictions / Closures are limited to reduce impact to road users

12. Barriers To Exercise – Exercise Realism
Typical Scene of Incident
Typical Scene of Exercise

13. Barriers To Exercise – Exercise Realism
During Closures Tunnels (Highways) Classified As Construction Site
Must comply with requirements of CDM Regulations & Associated H&S requirements
All delegates require H&S briefing before being allowed into tunnel

14. How Do We Exercise
Formally requires a multi agency group called a Tunnel Design Safety Co-ordination Group
TDSCG made up of representatives from Organisations that would respond to incidents in the tunnel.
TDSCG has to formally approve aspects of Tunnel Design and Operation, including exercises

15. How Do We Exercise

16. How Do We Exercise

17. How Do We Exercise

18. CASE STUDY – BRIDGES CASE STUDY – Putting the Exercise to the test
STORM DORIS – 23rd February 2017
94mph wind speed recorded at Capel Curig
Britannia Bridge Closed for approx. 5 hours
Bridge Closure implemented quickly and effectively – But unforeseen issues experienced around removal!!!

19. CASE STUDY – BRIDGES CASE STUDY BACKGROUND
One of Two Bridges Connecting Ynys Mon to the Mainland
Britannia Bridge susceptible to high winds
Menai Bridge not suitable for all traffic
High traffic volume quickly congest Menai Loop
Restrictions need to be implemented to close bridge to certain traffic at different wind speeds.

20. CASE STUDY – BRIDGES
CASE STUDY BACKGROUND – What were trying to prevent

21. CASE STUDY – BRIDGES CASE STUDY – How do we exercise
Training Program for control room staff and tactical managers
Regular review of Traffic Management Plans and Operational Procedures
Regular liaison meetings with contractors and professional partners (i.e. severe weather group)
Audit of traffic signage by contractors
Maintenance programme for critical signage

22. THANKS FOR LISTENING CASE STUDY – BRIDGES
CASE STUDY – Putting the Exercise to the test
MAINLY
Traffic Cones and signs won’t stay still in 80mph winds!
THANKS FOR
LISTENING